Window structure



Nov. 15, 1966 G. c. HAYMAN 3,284,954

WINDOW STRUCTURE Filed Dec. 11, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nev. 15 166 G. c. HAYMAN wnmow STRUCTURE INVENTOR. e (Egg 4mm 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q Z 0/ 5 7 I l i i i I I I Filed Dec. 11, 1963 United States Patent 3,284,954 WINDOW STRUCTURE George C. Hayman, Denver, Colo., assignor to Leslie Welding Co., Inc., Franklin Park, 11]., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 329,770 Claims. (Cl. 49-423) The present invention relates to a novel window structure, and more specifically to a novel double hung type window structure.

As will be understood, it has heretofore been proposed to provide a double hung window structure in which upper and lower window sashes are mounted between guide rails or tracks disposed along opposite sides of the window frame. In many instances at least one of the tracks for each sash is resiliently mounted so that the sashes may be removed by first shifting them laterally so as to compress the resiliently mounted track or guide sufliciently to enable the sashes to be disengaged from the oppositely disposed track or guide. Difficulties have been encountered With respect to such window structures in obtaining a sufiiciently weather-tight seal between the sash and the guide or track means while at the same time enabling the sashes to be raised or lowered easily and smoothly. Additional difliculties have been encountered in providing such window structures with counterbalancing means for supporting the sashes in any desired adjusted position and .particularly in providing such counterbalancing means constructed for enabling the sashes to be easily engaged with or disengaged from the counterbalancing means during assembly or removal of the sashes with respect to the window frame.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a novel window structure having relatively simple, economical and efiicient means for retaining the window sash and providing an effective Weather seal while enabling the sash to be actuated smoothly and easily.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a novel window structure having removable sash and including counterbalancing means which may be readily engaged with or disengaged from the sash and which is adapted to remain in a fixed position during removal of the sash from the window frame for facilitating reassembly of the sash therewith.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a novel window structure having simple and efficient guide or track means for retaining and sealing by engaging marginal portions of a window sash and cooperable with novel window sash counterbalancing means for retaining the counterbalancing means in a locked position during removal of the sash.

A further specific object of the present invention is to provide a window structure having novel sash counterbalancing means constructed so as to be responsive to lateral movements of the sash during assembly or disassembly of the sash with respect to the window frame for locking and unlocking the counterbalancing means relative to the window frame or track means for the sash, and which counterbalancing means is constructed so as to insure locking thereof prior to complete disengagement of the sash therefrom.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view showing a window structure incorporating features of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along lines 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a further enlarged fragmentary and exploded sectional view taken generally along lines 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken generally along lines 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the manner in which the sash may be laterally shifted for removal from the window frame structure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary partial sectional view taken generally along lines 6-6 in FIG. 4 but showing the sash partially removed and showing the counterbalancing means of the window structure in a locked position; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 77 in FIG. 6.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a window structure 10 incorporating features of the present invention comprises a frame 12 having a sill 14, opposite side or jamb members 16 and 18 and a header 20. Upper and lower window sashes 22 and 24 are disposed within the window frame and are removably retained in the manner described in detail below.

The sash 22 comprises opposite side members 26 and 28 joined to top and bottom frame members 30 and 32 in a known manner. Similarly, the sash 24 comprises opposite side frame members 34 and 36 joined to top and bottom frame members 38 and 40. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, the frame members of the sashes have a predetermined thickness. The side frame members of the sashes respectively are formed with laterally projecting longitudinally extending flanges 42, 44, 46 and 48, which flanges have a transverse thickness substantially less than the thickness of the frame members and project for engagement with guide and sealing means in the manner described below. In the embodiment shown, the slide frame members of the sashes are formed with slots 50, 52, 54 and 56 respectively, in order to define the aforementioned flanges.

The window structure is provided with sash retaining guide or track and sealing means 58 and 60 disposed along the oppositeside or jamb members 16 and 18 of the window frame. In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the guide or track means 58 comprises an elongated member 62 which is preferably extruded in one piece from a tough, resilient, plastic material such as polyethylene or nylon having good a'ntifriction and weathersealing characteristics. The member 62 comprises first and second generally U-shaped channel portions 64 and 66 joined by a transverse portion 68. While the onepiece construction facilitates production and handling of the member, it is to be understood that in certain instances the U-shaped portions or sections 64 and 66' may be separate from each other. The U-shaped sections 64 and 66 are mounted in complementary recesses 70 and 72 formed in the jamb 16.

The U-shaped guide or track member portion 64 com prises opposite side sections 74 .and 76 defining a slot 78 therebetween and respectively having end portions 80 and 82 projecting out of the recess in the jamb or frame member 16. In addition, longitudinally continuous abutment or sealing flanges 84 and 86 are formed integrally with the side sections 74 and 76 at a point spaced from the outer ends 80 and 82. The sealing flanges 84 and 86 project toward each other but preferably are relatively short in a transverse direction and terminate well short of each other so as to define an elongated open mouth for the slot 78. The U-shaped portion 66 is essentially identical to the portion 64 and includes opposite side sections 88 and 90 having end portions 92 and 94, respectively, projecting from the recess in the window jamb. Continuous elongated sealing flanges 96- and 98 extend from the side sections 88 and 90* in the same manner :as the above described sealing flanges 84 and 86.

The spacing between the outer ends 80 and 82 of the U-shaped portion 64 is similar to the thickness of the window sash flange 42 and, similarly, the spacing between the outer ends 92 and 94- of the U-shaped portion 62 is similar to the thickness of the sash flange 46. Because of the resilient qualities of the material which the guide means 58 is made from, its sides 88 and 90 are free for resilient flexing movement laterally relative to each other. Thus the sash flanges are adapted to be positioned between the outer ends of the U-shaped portions when the sashes are fully assembled as shown in FIG. 4.

It is to be noted that the sealing flanges 84 and 86 of the U-shaped portion 64- and the flanges 96 and 98 of the U-shaped portion 66 are disposed so that their surfaces which face laterally inwardly of the window structure are adapted to engage the laterally outwardly facing edges or surfaces of the sash flanges 42 :and 46. In this connection it is to be noted that the flanges 84 and 86 provide bearing surfaces for guiding the sashes and in addition provide weather seals between the sashes and the window ja-mbs. Furthermore, the inherent resiliency of the plastic material from which the guide or track members is formed in combination with the particular construction of the longitudinally continuous flange 84, 86, 96 and 98 assures the provision of two seals between the window jamb and each sash. The effectiveness of these weather-seals is enhanced by forming the flanges with relative short transverse dimensions so that they engage the edges of the sashes along limited areas and with a modified line contact whereby the flnages are adapted to conform to any minor irregularities in the shape of the sash flanges.

The sealing and guide flanges are not only adapted to engage the flanges 42 and 46 of the sashes, but they are also adapted to position the sashes so as to prevent friction-a1 engagement between the sashes and the Window jambs whereby to promote easier and smoother operation of the sashes. Thus the flanges 84, 86, 96 and 98 are disposed so that their inwardly facing guide and sealing surfaces are arranged in a plane slightly olfset inwardly from the plane of the inwardly facing surface of the jamb 16. Alternatively, the window sashes may be constructed so that the flanges 42 and 46 there-of project latera-l'ly outwardly beyond the remainder of the end of or edge surfaces of the sash side frame members.

The guide or track means 60 includes generally U- shaped portions 100 and 102 which are extruded from a plastic material of the above described type and correspond generally to the aforementioned U-sha-ped portions 64 and 66. Thus the U-shaped portion 100 comprises opposite side sections 104 and 106 having projecting ends 108 and 110 and defining a slot 112. Guide and sealing flanges 114 and 116 extend inwardly from the side sections 104 and 106 and define :an open mouth f-or the slot 112 and correspond to the previously described flanges 84 and 86. The U-shaped portion 102 comprises opposite side sections 118 and 120 having end portions 122 and 124 respectively, and inwardly projecting continuous longitudinally extending abutment and sealing flanges 126 and 128.

The U-shaped portions 64 and 66 of the guide and track menas 58 are mounted in fixed relationship with respect to the window jamb 16. However, the U-shaped portions 100 and 102 are mounted so as to be transversely shiftable with respect to the window jamb 18 for enabling the window sashes to be assembled and removed from the window frame in the manner described below. Thus the guide or track means 60 further comprises an extruded longitudinally extending mounting member 130 having enlarged U-shaped portions 132 and 134 mounted in suitable recesses formed in the jam-b 18 and adapted shiftably to receive the U-shaped portions 100 and 102 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. U-shaped portion 132 of the mounting member has in The enlarged 4 turned flanges 136 and 138 defining a restricted slot 140 through which the U-shaped portion 100* may be inserted. The U-shaped portion 100 further includes laterally extending flanges 142 and 144 which are adapted to be snapped beneath or within the flanges 136 and 138 for retaining the U-shaped portion 100 in assembled relation ship within the U-shaped portion 132.

The U-shaped portion 134 of the mounting member also includes flanges 146 and 148 defining a restricted slots 150 through which the U-sha'ped portion 102 is adapted to be inserted. The U-shaped portion 102 is provided with flanges 152 and 154 corresponding to the above described flanges 142 and 144 and adapted to be snapped within and to cooperate with the flanges 146 and 148.

The U-shaped portions 100 and 102 are preferably extruded in continuous length as are the U-shaped portions 64- and 66 so as to provide channel members having lengths equal to the height of the window jamb. The U-shaped portions 13-2 and 134- of the mounting member 130 are also preferably extruded so as to provide channels having a length equal to the height of the window jamb.

As previously indicated, the U-shaped members 100 and 102 are shiftably mounted in their respective mounting channels or U-shaped portions 132 and 134 for enabling the window sashes to be assembled with and removed from the same structure. Spring means 156 and 158 are provided in the U-shaped channels 132 and 134 respectively for urging the U-shaped portions 100 and 102 toward the left as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5 and thereby insuring aggressive engagement between the sealing and guide flanges of the U-shaped channel members and the flanges of the sash at the opposite sides of the sash. The spring means 156 and 158 may comprise -a plurality of coil springs disposed at suitable intervals along the length of the channel members 132 and 134 or any other suitable resilient or spring elements. In any event the spring means is preferably arranged so that the U-shaped channel members 100 and 102 are urged against the edges of the sash flanges with generally uniform pressure throughout their length.

In order to remove a sash from the assembled position shown in FIG. 5, it is necessary for an operator to push laterally against the sash so as to force the shiftable U- shaped channel members inwardly and compress the springs as shown in FIG. 5. When this has been accomplished the flanges at the opposite sides of the sash will become disengaged from the U-shaped channel portions 64 and 66 so that the sash may be pivoted or swung from the window opening. It will be appreciated that while FIG. 5 shows both of the sashes shifted toward the right and in condition to be removed from the window frame, it is usually necessary for an operator to remove one sash at a time.

In order to retain the window sashes in any desired position to which they may be adjusted, the window structure is provided with sash counterbalancing means 157 and 159 shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7. Since the counterbalancing means are identical, only the means 159 which is associated with the sash 24 will be described in detail. It is to be understood that the counterbalancing means 156 includes elements corresponding to those shown and described for the means 159 and, therefore, identical reference numerals are applied to the corresponding elements.

The counterbalancing means 159 includes an elongated tension spring 160 disposed in the elongated U-shaped channel portion 90 and having its upper end secured by a screw or other fastening means 162 to an upper end portion of the window jamb 16. The spring 160 serves to provide a counterbalancing force which is correlated with the weight of the window sash 24 for retaining the sash in any position to which it maybe adjusted. The counterbalance force providing means or spring 160 is detachably interconnected with the sash 24 by a member 164 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. More specifically, the member 164, which may be readily formed from relatively heavy sheet metal, is disposed substantially in the slot provided by the U-shaped channel member 66 and includes a first portion 166 which projects laterally outwardly from the slot and is adapted to engage beneath a downwardly facing surface on the sash 24. In the embodiment shown, the portion 166 of the sash supporting member 164 projects beneath a downwardly facing surface of the lower margin of the sash. A flexible strap 168, preferably formed from metal, has one end connected at 170 to a lower end of the spring 166 and an opposite end portion which extends downwardly and beneath the sash supporting member 164 and is welded or otherwise connected to the portion 166 adjacent an outer end thereof as at 171. With this arrangement, the force is applied by the spring to the member 164 at a location offset from the sash 24 so that there is a tendency for the member 164 to pivot in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6 about the point or area of engagement between the sash 24 and the portion 166. Such pivotal movement is limited by the engagement of an abutment or cam portion 172 of the member 164 with the side edge or laterally outwardly facing surface of the sash and more specifically with the edge of the flange 64. In the embodiment shown, the abutment or cam portion 172 is in the form of an elongated finger element which extends upwardly from a curved junction with the portion 166 and is also adapted to project through the mouth of the slot defined by the U-shaped channel member 66. is to be noted, however, that the abutment or cam portion 172 is formed so that its abutment surface is always laterally offset outwardly from a vertical plane containing the free end of the portion 166 for a purpose described below.

As indicated above, the sash 24 is adapted to be removed from the window frame and thus is adapted to be disengaged from the supporting member 164. In order to prevent the spring from snapping the supporting member 164 to an elevated position when the sash 24 is removed, the member 164 includes braking or releasable locking means cooperable with the generally U-shaped channel member 66. More specifically, the member 164 includes portions 174 and 176 extending laterally of opposite sides of the junction between the portions 166 and 172 and having an overall width greater than the width of the slot mouth defined by the flanges 96 and 98 of the channel member 66. The portions 174 and 176 respectively present locking teeth or edges 178 and 180 which are releasably engageable with the flanges 96 and 98.

The construction of the supporting member 164 is such that when the sash 24 is fully assembled, as shown in FIG. 4, the flange 46 of the sash pushes the cam or abutment portion 172 to the broken line position shown in FIG. 6 for pivoting the member 164 about the point of engagement between the portion 166 and the lower edge of the sash and thereby causing the locking edges or teeth 178 and 180 to be positioned out of engagement with the flanges 96 and 98 whereby the sash is free to be moved up and down. When, on the other hand, the sash is shifted laterally to the position shown in FIG. 5 and in solid lines in FIG. 6 preparatory to removal from the window frame, the abutment or cam portion 172 is free to move outwardly through the slot between the flanges 96 and 98 or, in other words, the portion 172 follows the sash and the member 164 is pivoted by the force of the spring to the solid line position shown in FIG. 6 so that the edges 178 and 180 are aggressively and lockingly engaged against the inner surfaces of the flanges 96 and 98 of the elongated channel or track member 66. Since the supporting and pivot portion 166 of the member 164 projects laterally beyond the cam portion of the portion 172, the member 16 4 is permitted to pivot sufliciently to engage the edges 178 and 180 against the flanges 96 and 98 before the sash 24- becomes completely disengaged from the portion 166. In other words, assurance is provided that the member 164 will be locked with respect to the channel member 66 before the sash is completely disengaged. Upon complete disengagement of the sash, further pivotal movement of the member 164 is arrested by engagement of the rounded junction between the portion 166 and 172 or at least the portion of the strap or band 168 which extends therearound with the back wall of the channel member 66. In other words, the parts are constructed so that the distance between the edges 178 and 180- and an abutment surface 182 provided by the strap 168 is substantially greater than the distance between the flanges 96 and 98 and the back wall of the channel member 66. Thus, assurance is provided that the portion 166 will extend outwardly from the slot and beyond the cam surface of the portion 172 for reengagement with the sash when the sash is again assembled with the frame structure.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new, and desired to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. In a window structure having opposite first and second side frame members and a sash shiftably disposed between said side frame members and having opposite first and second side members with laterally projecting longitudinally extending flanges respectively disposed adjacent said opposite first and second side frame members, the combination comprising first and second generally U-shaped elongated channel members of tough resilient material respectively extending along said first and second side frame members, each of said channel members including opposite spaced apart side sections embracing an adjacent sash flange, at least one of said side sections of each channel member having a free terminal edge and being free for resilient flexing movement laterally relative to the other side section of each channel member, each of said channel members including sealing and bearing flanges respectively extending toward each other from said spaced apart side sections and engaging laterally outwardly facing surfaces of an adjacent sash flange, at least said first channel member being laterally shiftably mounted with respect to its adjacent side frame member, and means resiliently urging said first channel member toward said second channel member for relatively urging said sealing and bearing flanges against the laterally outwardly facing surfaces of the sash flanges.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, which includes another generally U-shaped elongated channel member laterally shiftably receiving said first U-shaped channel member and fixed with respect to the adjacent said frame member, said third mentioned channel member and said first channel member including interengageable means for positively retaining said first channel member within said third mentioned channel member.

3. An elongated track member for a window structure of the type described, comprising a channel portion having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section, said channel portion being formed of resilient tough plastic material and including opposite spaced apart side sections for embracing a marginal portion of a window sash, at least one of said side sections having an outer free terminal edge and being free for resilient flexing movement laterally relative to the other side section, and sealing and bearing flanges respectively integral with and extending toward each other from said spaced apart sections and terminating short of each other for engaging laterally outwardly facing surfaces of a window sash, said sealing and bearing flanges being spaced inwardly from outer edges of said side sections.

4. A track member as defined in claim 3, which includes a pair of said channel portions disposed in parallel relationship, and a transverse web section integrally joining adjacently disposed side sections of said channel portions.

5. A track structure including a channel portion as defined in claim 3, and a generally U-shaped channel member laterally shiftably receiving said channel portion and adapted to be fixed With respect to a frame of a Window structure, said U-s-haped channel member and said channel portion including interengageable means positively retaining said channel portion within said channel member.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,563,058 8/1951 Neustadt 2052.2 X

8 Baker et al 20'52.2 Love et al 20-12 Skannel et a1 20--52.2 X Oehmig 2052.2 Humphrey 20-53.6 Lundgren 16-197 Lauer 2052 Osten 2052 Stegley et al. 20-52.2 Beasley et a1. 16197 Fanello et a1 2052.2 Trout 2042.2

HARRISON R. MOSELEY, Primary Examiner.

3/1953 Weissman 2012 5 A. I. BREIER, Assistant Examiner. 

3. AN ELONGATED TRACK MEMBER FOR A WINDOW STRUCTURE OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED, COMPRISING A CHANNEL PORTION HAVING A GENERALLY U-SHAPED TRANSVERSE CROSS-SECTION, SAID CHANNEL PORTION BEING FORMED OF RESILIENT TOUGH PLASTIC MATERIAL AND INCLUDING OPPOSITE SPACED APART SIDE SECTIONS FOR EMBRACING A MARGINAL PORTION OF A WINDOW SASH, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDE SECTIONS HAVING AN OUTER FREE TERMINAL EDGE AND BEING FREE FOR RESILIENT FLEXING MOVEMENT LATERALLY RELATIVE TO THE OTHER SIDE SECTION, AND SEALING AND BEARING FLANGES RESPECTIVELY INTEGRAL WITH AND EXTENDING TOWARD EACH OTHER FROM SAID SPACED APART SECTIONS AND TERMINATING SHORT OF EACH OTHER FOR ENGAGING LATERALLY OUTWARDLY FACING SURFACES OF A WINDOW SASH, SAID SEALING AND BEARING FLANGES BEING SPACED INWARDLY FROM OUTER EDGES OF SAID SIDE SECTIONS. 